Naperville Central’s Megan Norkett and Ella Burke are back on the court. The friends ‘cherish every moment.’

Naperville Central seniors Megan Norkett and Ella Burke have led the girls soccer team to 28 wins in the past two years.

Injuries have prevented them from playing such a big role on the basketball court, but that is changing.

On Thursday, Norkett and Burke were in the Redhawks’ starting lineup together for the first time this season.

“It’s really important for me to play with Ella,” Norkett said. “She’s one of my best friends, so being on the court with her in soccer and basketball is really important to me, and it’s really fun.”

Basketball is the second sport for both Norkett and Burke, who will play soccer at Northwestern and Cincinnati, respectively. But the two guards bring athleticism and essential intangibles to the court.

That was evident Thursday when the two guards helped the Redhawks overcome the absence of star freshman Trinity Jones and an early 10-point deficit against Wheaton Warrenville South.

Norkett had nine points and a team-high eight rebounds and Burke contributed eight points and seven rebounds as Naperville Central rallied for a 44-36 nonconference victory in the regular-season finale. They each added three steals and an assist.

It was the 15th win in the past 16 games for the Redhawks (21-10), who won despite missing 18 of their first 19 shots.

“They’re such athletes,” Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum said. “I tell people I’ve got four Division I athletes. Three of them are Division I soccer players, but they’re still athletic.”

That athleticism eventually got the better of the Tigers (7-23), who could not hold a 17-7 second-quarter lead.

“We were down early, but our attack is pretty relentless,” Nussbaum said. “At some point, we’ve been successful post-New Year’s in wearing people down.”

Norkett and Burke both were feeling worn down earlier this season. Norkett missed the first third of the season while waiting for a stress fracture in her foot to heal. After she returned, Burke was sidelined with a back injury.

“I hurt my back playing (club) soccer and basketball at the same time,” Burke said. “It was kind of a lot for my body, so I decided to take a little break.

“I’m feeling better, and I’m able to play full games, which is good.”

Burke’s efforts were needed without Jones, whom Nussbaum said had a family obligation.

“We hope to have her back Monday,” Nussbaum said, referring to the Redhawks’ Class 4A regional semifinal against West Aurora.

Burke and sophomore Callie Tumilty, who also is a Division I soccer prospect, helped spearhead Naperville Central’s aggressive defensive effort, which forced 26 turnovers. Tumilty accounted for seven of the Redhawks’ 20 steals, while Burke often was on the ground fighting for loose balls.

Norkett and Burke also got in the lane for putbacks. Both assisted on baskets by freshman Erin Hackett, who scored eight of her career-high 16 points during a 19-0 run that gave Naperville Central a 35-20 lead with 5:48 left in the fourth quarter.

“Without Trinity, we needed another post player, so I stepped back there with Natalie (Jordan) and Adriana (Villanova),” Norkett said. “It was a different role, but I still think I was able to contribute, which I was happy about.”

So was Nussbaum.

“For a guard, she uses her body, and she’ll get after it,” he said. “She has a calming influence too. There is no frazzle.”

Instead, there is a fusion of fun and friendship whenever Norkett and Burke take the court.

“It’s exciting,” Burke said. “This is our senior year, and Megan is one of my best friends, so being able to play with her is super special.

“I’m just trying to cherish every moment of it before it’s over.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.